Combined fuse and disconnecting switch



May 17, 1932 c. E. BENNETT 1,859,194

COMBINED FUSE AND DISCONNECTING SWITCH Filed May 12, 1927 z sneets-sheet 1 INVENTORI CHA/)us5 ..BEN/vefr y BY JHM 4i;A ATTORNEYS.

May 17 1932 c. E. BENNETT 1,859,194

COMBINED FUSE AND DISCONNECTING SWITCH Filed May l2, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR:

CNH/1.55 E. BENNETT KQQATTORNEYS yPatented May 17, 1932 PTENT CFFICE CHARLES E. BENNETT,

OF DECATUR, GEORGIA COMBINED FUSE AND' DISCONNECTING SWITCH Application led May 12,

My invention relates to a'combined fuse and disconnecting switch for power lines, and by which the line circuit is automatically opened by the blowing of the fuse, or is manually opened by shifting the fuse out of circuit-closing position.

My invention contemplates a construction of such character that the replacement of the fuse may be effected when the fuse terminals are Widely removed from conductors at line potential, so that the operator is protected against dangerous proximity to live conductors during the re-fusing operation.

My invention contemplates the shifting of the fuse to disengaged position by means which are operated at a point remote from conductors at line potential.

My invention contemplates also a multiple fuse construction such that the line cir- 2e cuit may be restored whenvthe blown fuse is shifted to position for replacement.

My invention also contemplates a construction which closes and opens simultaneously all phases of the circuit in which it is installed.

Other features of my invention will appear from the following description, or from an inspection of the accompanying drawings in which Fig. l is a broken side elevation of a structure in which my invention is embodied in one form;

Fig. 2 is an end view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a partial end view of a modified construction; y

Figs. 4 and 5 are more or less diagrammatic illustrations of other modifications.

It is customary practice in power line substation installations to provide not only fuses for the protection of equipment, but also disconnecting switches arranged ahead of the fuses and by which the line may be opened when desired, as for instance, when it is necessary to re-fuse. Such disconnecting switches do not always open all phases of the line simultaneously, a separate switch heing provid-ed for each phase. An installation of this type involves certain dangers. Thus, should a fuse be blown in only one phase of the circuit, a lineman who is about 1927. Serial No. 190,867.

to re-fuse, is apt to open only the switch arranged in that particular phase of the line, leaving the switches in the other phases closed. lhile the fuse terminal adjacent the switch is thus dead, it is often the case that the other terminal is alive. The lineman is thus in danger of coming in contact with the line voltage when the new fuse is inserted in position.

Even when all the switches are open,` the lineman, when replacing the fuse, is in prei;- imity to the line conductors and electrically alive parts, and must carefully guard himself against accidental contact therewith.

lVhatever the type of switch, its installation, in addition to its fuse, involves considerable expenseespecially if the line voltage is high.

My invention provides an installation which `is more economical per se than those now generally used, inasmuch as the fuse itself serves as the disconnecting switch element. My invention also permits the lineman to shift the fuse terminals out of and into engagement with the line contacts,`while he is far removed from line conductors, and from the danger region in case of blow out or flash over. It also insures the shifting of the fuse terminals out of the region of the line conductors to a re-fusing location safe for the lineman. My invention also provides a plurality of fuse carriers so associated that they may be successively brought into engagement with the line contacts to re-establish the line circuit, whether or not a blown fuse is immediately replaced. This feature of my invention is of considerable practical valu-e, since in a prolonged storm more than one fuse may be blown when the electrical conditions of the atmosphere are such that a lineman dares not, or should not, venture to replace blown fuses. My invention enables the lineman to re-establish the line circuit without danger to himself. In any event, the use of fuse-replacing sticks, which are always dangerous, and particularly so when wet, is completely eliminated.

Referring to the drawings, I have shown a grounded metallic supporting structure comprising a skeleton frame having uprights l5 and upper and lower cross members 16 and 17 respectively, which may be supplemented as desired by such stiffening elements as may be advisable. Extending between the top cross members 16 at suitably spaced intervals, are fixed bars 18,'one for each phase of the line. I have here shown three for a threephase line. On each of the cross bars 18 are supported in fixed position post insulators 19 and 20, which support terminal caps 21 and 22, to which the line sections 23 and 24, respectively, are connected. Contacts 25 and 26 of appropriate type are associated with the respective caps 21 and 22.`

Intermediate the fixed insulators 19 and 20 for each phase, are similar post insulators 27 and 28 pivot-ally mounted on the cross bars 18 by means of rotary sleeves 180, to which the insulators 27 and 28 are rigidly connected. At their heads the insulators 27 and 28 carry combined fuse and switch contacts 29 and 30 adapted, on the one hand, to detachably engage t-he fixed contacts 25 and 26, and also to detachably receive the ends of fuses 3l.

erating lever 36 pivoted at 37 to the upright 38. T he operating lever 36 is provided with some means, such as a pawl 39 and sector 40 for releasably locking the lever 36 in position.

The lower level cross members 17 ofthe supporting structure carry a Wooden plat form 41 upon which the lineman stands when re-fusing.` lI`his platform may be reached by a ladder 42, but it will be noted that the operating lever 36 is accessible from the ground 43 before the line-man ascends to the working platform 41.

In normal position the fuse 31 for each phase bridges the terminals 29 and 30, which in turn enga e the line contacts 25 and 26, thus establishing connection between the line sections 23 and 24. Should one of the fuses 31 blow, thus disabling the circuit, the lineman, by operating the lever 36, rotates the several sleeves 180 to swing the insulators 27 and 28 for each phase from operating position indicated in full lines, Fig. 2, to refusing position illustrated in dotted lines, Fig. 2. All phases of the circuit are now open and the fuses for each phase may be inspected and replaced where found defective. It would of course be possibleI to provide independent operating means for each phase of the circuit, and there-fusing operation would be safe for the lineman in view of the location of the fuse terminals at a distance from the conductors. I prefer, however, to

open all phases of the circuit simultaneously as shown, since it not only enables the lineman to inspect all fuses at the same time, but it also increases safety, reduces construction costs, and has the important electrical advantage that on returning the fuses to circuitclosing position again, all phases of the circuit are closed at the same moment. The dangerous surges which occur when a fuse is replaced in only one phase of the circuit, while the other phases are closed, are thus avoided.

Another feature of importance in the present construction flows from the fact that when the fuse carrier is rotated on its horizontal axis, it shifts the fuse bodily in a horizontal direction out of engagement with the line terminals, followed by a downward spring .awayv from the latter. If the fuse is carrying current it now operates as a switch to open the circuit. The latter bodily movement of a fuse out of the current path tends to prevent are formation between the line contacts, but in any event prevents the arc from following the fuse and causes it to pump to the upwardly spreading gap horn, such as common.- ly associated with line contacts for high tension switches.

In Fig.Y 3 I have shown a modification in which each pivoted sleeve 180 carries two pairs of insulators with their associated fuses. Thus, the insulators 27 and 28 are supplemented by a second pair, of which one, 270, is illustrated, the second pair being arranged at such angle to the first that when the latter is in position for re-fusing, the circuit is re-established by the fuse engaged with the terminal 29() of the insulator 270. Thus, the line circuit may be re-established without immediate replacement of the fuses carried by the insulators 27 and 28.

The number of insulator sets and fuses carried by the sleeves 18() may be multiplied as desired. Thus, in Fig. 4 I have indicated ay group of three fuse-carrying insulator sets, and in Fig. 5 I have indicated four, thus multiplying the number of times that the line circuit may be restored without replacing blown fuses.'

The arrangement and spacing of the fuse supports may be varied. The arrangement indicated falls within the limits of the throw of the operating lever 36. By altering the actuating mechanism a wider spacingbetween adjacent fuse supports may be secured.

In any event, the shifting of the fuse supports out of and into engagement with the fixed contacts 21 and 22, which are connected to the line, is effected by the lineman from the ground through the insulated rod 35 connected to the link 34, or equivalent operating means. The re-fusing operation is effected from the platform 41 Well out of the danger zone of the line conductors 23 and 24, and live terminals 21 and 22. Even should an insulator flash-over occur when the lineman is on the platform 41, his danger is not great since the arc forms to the supporting structure 16 and follows the uprights 16 to ground.

It will of course be obvious that when it is desired to utilize the construction as a disconnecting switch alone, it is only necessary to operate the lever 36 to open all phases of the circuit, while the return of the parts to operating position not only closes, but also fuses the circuit.

It will be understood that the construction illustrated is more or less diagrammatic, and constitutes but a single illustrative embodiment of the thoughts which underlie what I claim as my invention.

I claim- 1. A combined fuse and switch for high tension lines, comprising a grounded metallic supporting structure, horizontally spaced insulators mounted at the upper portion thereof, line contacts carried thereby, movable insulating means arranged on a horizontal axis between said line contact insulators and adapted to support a fuse in horizontal position between said line contacts, and means for actuating said movable insulating means to remove the fuse bodily from the circuit and to shift it downward out of the region of conductors at line potential.

2. A combined fuse and switch for high tension lines, comprising a grounded metallic supporting structure, horizontally spaced ina sulators mounted at the upper portion thereof, line contacts carried thereby, movable insulating means arranged on a horizontal axis between said line contact insulators and adapted to support a fuse in horizontal position betwen said line contacts, and means for actuating said movable insulating means to remove the fuse bodily from the circuit and to shift it downward out of the region of conductors at line potential, together with a linemans working platform on said structure and below the level of the line contact insulators, the fuse in lowered position being accessible from said platform.

3. A combined fuse and switch for high tension lines, comprising a grounded metallic supporting structure, horizontally spaced insulators mounted at the upper portion thereof, line contacts carried thereby, movable insulating means arranged on a horizontal axis between said line contact insulators and adapted to support a fuse in a horizontal position between said line contacts, and means operable from the ground for actuating said pivoted insulating means to remove the fuse bodily froln the circuit and to shift it downward out of the region of conductors at line potential, together with a linemans working platform on said structure and below the level of the line contact insulators,

the fuse in lowered position being accessible from said platform.

4. A combined fuse and switch for high tension lines, comprising a grounded metallic supporting structure, pairs of horizontally spaced insulators mounted at the upper portion thereof, one pair for each phase of the line, line contacts carried by each pair of said insulators, movable insulating means arranged on a horizontal axis between the pair of line contacts for each phase and adapted to support a fuse between each of said line contact pairs, and means for actuating in unison said movable insulating means to remove the several fuses bodily and simultaneously from the several phases of the line and to shift the same downward out of the region of conductors at line potential.

5. A combined fuse and switch for high tension lines, comprising a grounded metallic supporting structure, pairs of spaced insulators mounted at the upper portion thereof, one pair for each phase of the line, line contacts carried by each pair of said insulators, a movable member arranged between each pair of insulators for each phase of the line, a plurality of fuses carried by each of said movable members, and means for actuating each of said movable members to present its fuses successively between the line contacts of each phase.

6. A combined fuse and-switch for high tension lines, comprising a grounded metallic supporting structure, pairs of spaced insulators mounted at the upper portion thereof, one pair for each phase of the line, line contacts carried by each pair of said insulators, a movable member arranged between each pair of insulators for each phase of the line, a plurality of fuses carried by each of said movable members, and means for actuating said movable members in unison to present their respective fuses successively and simultaneouslyl between the line contacts of the several phases.

7. A combined fuse and switch for high tension lines, comprising a grounded metallic supporting structure, a pair of spaced insulators mounted at the upper portion thereof, line contacts carried thereby, a plurality of movable insulating means arranged between said line contact insulators and adapted to successively support a fuse in engagement with the line contacts, and means for actuating said movable insulating means to remove one fuse from and present another between said line contacts by a single operation.

8. A fuse station for high tension lines comprising a supporting structure, a pair of horizontally spaced line contacts for each phase of the line, said contacts being supported by and insulated from the structure, corresponding pairs of movable contacts mounted on a horizontal axis and cooperating therewith and also supported by and insulated from the structure, fuses arranged between said movable contacts, and means for shifting said movable contacts to a position of safety below their plane of support for 5 replacement of the fuses.

9. A fuse station for high tension lines comprising a supporting structure, a pair of horizontally spaced line contacts for each phase of the line, said contacts being sup- 10 ported by and insulated from the structure, a pair of movable contacts cooperating therewith and also supported by and insulated from the structure, a fuse arranged between said movable contacts, and means for shift- 15 ing said movable contacts to a position of safety below their plane of support for replacement of the fuse.

10. A fuse station for high tension lines, comprising a grounded metallic supporting 2o structure having upper and lower cross members, means for supporting line contacts and fuse carriers on the upper cross members, a

re-fusing platform on the lower cross members, and means for shifting the fuse carriers z5 from their normal operating position above' the upper cross members to a. location accessible from the re-fusing platform.

11. A fuse station for high tension lines, comprising a grounded metallic supporting structure having upper and lower cross members, means for supporting linecontacts and fuse carriers on the upper cross members, a re-fusing platform on the lower cross members, and means located below the re-fusing 3U platform for shifting the fuse carriers from their normal operating position above the upper cross members to a location accessible from the` re-fusing platform.

12. A fuse station for high tension lines e0 comprising a pair of horizontally spaced line contacts, a fuse carrier mounted on a horizontal axis located below the level of the line contacts and adapted to electrically interpose a fuse between the line contacts, and means 45 for rotating the fuse carrier on its axis to shift the fuse bodily laterally and downwardly out of circuit-closing position to a Safe location for re-fusing at a level below the line conductors.

.50 13. A fuse station for a high tension line, comprising a pair of horizontally spaced line contacts, a fuse carrier mounted on a horizontal axis located below the level of the. line contacts, and adapted to electrically inter- 53' pose a succession of fuses between the line contacts, and means for rotating the fuse carrier on its axis toshift one fuse bodily laterally and downwardly out of circuit-closing position, to a safe location for re-fusing at a S9 level below the line conduct-ors, while swinging the second fuse into circuit-closing position between the line contacts.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

f CHARLES E. BENNETT. 

